Wheel-flange-lubricating mechanism.



R. H. SCROGGINS. WHEEL FLANGE LUBRIGATING MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 10, 1913.

Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

1HE MORRIS PETERS COA, PMoTn-Llrl'n.` WASHINGTDN, n t:4

R. H. SGRUGGINS. WHEEL FLANGE LUBRIGATING MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 10, 1913.

FATE@ FFlQE.

inniainn sraarns( :ROBERT H. SCROGGINS, OF VIENNA ,VIRGINIA, ASSIGNGR OF ONE-HALF TO JOSEPH H. BRADLEY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT 0F COLUMBIA.

WHEEL-FLANGELUBRICATNG MECHANISTE.

Application led November 10,y 1913.

Z1@ all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT H. Scnoosms, residing at Vienna, in the county of Fairfax and State of Virginia, have invented a new and Improved Wheel-Flange-Lubricating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention embodies a new and improved mechanism for lubricating car wheel flanges to thereby materially facilitate the application of the grease to the said flanges for reducing the friction between the said car wheel flanges and the curved track sections, overcome the grinding noises incident in the ordinary running of the car wheels when rounding curves and to do away with the necessity of manually greasing track curves, as is now usually done.

My present invention embodies the same general lubricating means shown and described in my copending application, Serial .icl-769,245, filed May 9.2, 1913, and in its more specific nature, it relates to the construction of lubricating means disclosed in my copending application #786,342, filed July si, 191s.

ln the lubricating mechanism generally disclosed in my copending applications referredto, a lubricant feeding means is provided in which is included a grease pusher or follower under constant spring pressure and which serves to constantly force the grease toward the outlet from which the said grease is led to the devices that apply it to the wheel flanges.

ln my present construction, l have provided a pneumatic means for forcing the grease to the outlet in place of using a spring force for such purpose.

Another and important object of my present invention is the providing of a lubricating mechanism of the general type disclosed in my copending applications referred to, adapted for use with any of the ordinary types of car trucks.

My present invention in its complete makeup also includes a simple and inexpensive means, in the nature of an air blast arranged to be fed from the air reservoir that holds the air for forcing the lubricant bulk to the distributing outlet, for blowing out the dirt and dust from the track grooves in advance of lubricating the wheel flanges, the same being adapted for being readily controlled by the car motorinan.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Fatented'eb. 23, i915.

serial no. scales.

Again, my present invention comprehends an improved and simplified means for moving the grease applying or wiping brushes to and from their wheel flange engaging positions.

Another and important object of my pres.- ent invention is to do away with the necessity of applying a separate set of lubricant holding cylinders for the oppositely disposed car wheels, and to provide for feeding all of the lubricant distributing devices from a single lubricant holding cylinder.

W'ith other objects in view that will hereinafter appear my present invention consists of the peculiar construction and novel arrangement of parts, all of which will be hereinafter fully described, specifically pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: i

Figure l is a perspective view of an or dinary type of street car truck with my improved car wheel flange lubricating mechanism shown as applied for use. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the lubri- Vcant holding cylinder, the air controlled means for forcing the lubricant to the distributing outlet and the automatically actuated valve for controlling the lubricant out- [low from the cylinder. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken` on the line 19)*3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4.- is a detail view partly in section of the shiftable rack mechanism that actuates the rotary lubricant distributing or controlling valve hereinafter referred to. Figs. 5 and G are detail diagrammatic views showing the grease applying member in its inoperative and operative positions. Fig. 7 is an enlarged section of the swivel joint which connects the brush with the grease feed pipe. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the compressed air back check valve. Fig. 9 is a section of the brush or grease applying member. Fig. 10 is a detail perspective, showing the inner wrapping. Fig. ll is a similar view of the sheath..

Referring now to the drawings, l designates a lubricant holding cylinder, and the same is suitably mounted centrally with respect to the car truck, and to the rear of the same, the said cylinder being longitudinally disposed, as is clearly shown in Fig. l, of the drawings. As in the construction shown in my other applications, the cylinder is adapted for being quickly recharged with the heavy grease, it having a screw cap 2 "that closes the lubricant charging end of the cylinder. Y

3 designates the plunger that forces the grease to the outlet, and the said plunger in my present case is coupled to and moves with another plunger 30, which forms one end of an air chamber 31 at the rear end of the cylinder, the purpose of which will presently appear. l l 1n my present construction, the distributing mechanism is generally the same as is shown in my copending application, Ser. #782,342, and includes the supplemental grease holding cup or casing 8 formed m the block 9, secured on the under side of the cylinder, as is best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, of the drawings, and which has the diagonally disposed passage that opens up the cup S with the cylinder 1,v the said cup in my present structure being pendently supported from the cylinder instead of laterally projected therefrom, as in my other application last referred to.

10 designates the tubular controlling or distributing valve which in my present construction is held in place by aflanged cap nut 11 and its stem 13 carries a pinion 1a for engaging the valve actuating rack devices, the construction of which is best shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. In my other lubricating mechanism disclosed in my copending application, Serial #782342, the rack mechanisms that actuate the distributing or controlling valve are such that in connecting them to the car body, such changes or modilicationsof the means for connecting the said devices to the car body are required as the particular type or construction of the car body made necessary. 1n my present invention, but a single rack mechanism is required, since there is but one controlling or distributing valve, and the said mechanism is of such a character that it can be readily applied to any of the ordinary types of car trucks without requiring any changes of structure or special means for attaching the said mechanism thereto.

1n my present construction, all of the grease applying brushes or heads are fed through the single rotary valve 10, through a series of lateral pipes 16 and a iexible tube 1( that couples with the lateral pipes 16, and with a union joint 18 that connects with the block 9 and communicates with the cup 8, as is clearly shown in Figs. f2 and 3.

In my copending application last mentioned, the grease applying nozzle is arranged for being swung' to or from the wheel flange, and the said swinging movements effected by the reciprocable motions of the rack devices that actuate the distributing valve 10. In my present construction, the swinging motion of the car truck is directly applied to the said nozzle through double cams that coact with crank fingers 19 secured to lateral sections 16a-16, they being connected to their respective laterals 16, by a swivel connection 16h, see Fig. l, by reference to which it will be seen that the arrangement of the said parts is such that as the truck turns the crank fingers will be moved to either swing toward or away from the wheel flanges, it being understood that the sections 16a that carry the nozzles are normally turned to keep their fingers in contact with the cams, by means of the weight of the brush. It should be here stated the cam faces 5a of the cam 5 are of such length that under ordinary swinging of the car truck, the fingers 19 will not move off the said cams.

The valve actuating rack devices comprise the rack members 20 slidable in a flanged housing 21, mounted on the cylinder 1. and the pull rod 22 that pivotally connects at one end to the rack and at the other end to a cross member Q3 of the truck frame. Rack 20 is held in mesh with the pinion 14 of valve 10. Valve 10, in my present case is also a hollow valve and it has a number of passages arranged in opposite sets, either set of which is brought into line to open up communication between thc lubricant holding cylinder and the distributing devices via the ports l0 in the block 9, it being understood that during the travel of the car over the curved track, the rotary .valve in its movement in either direction, eflects an intermittent cutoff of the feed of the lubricant from the cylinder l.

The lubricant in the cylinder 1 is forced by the piston into the valve 10 when one of its ports is in alinement with the port 10 between the valve and the cylinder and when that communication is cut oil by the valve and a valve port is opened into communication with the passage 10 that leads to the discharge duct 17, the lubricant from the valve will pass out into the duct 17.

The distributing nozzles in my present construction of wheel iange lubricating mechanism are each formed of a tubular nozzle member 16c that connects with the swingable pipe section, a reducing nozzle section 38 that screws into the member 16c and a series of strips of felt that are wound about the nozzle 16c and hunched at the outer end of the nozzle ymember to form a wiper head 34. After the head 3L is formed a if-shaped portion is cut out from a groove for fitting onto the wheel flange when the nozzle drops down to smear grease thereon.

For holding the nozzle to its shape and at the same time protect it against the weather, I provide a shield or casing 41 that is shaped to fit the said brush and make the said casing of sheet brass, its head portion having a V-shaped cut to permit the felt face of the brush contacting with the wheel fiange, By reason of forming the shield kof sheet metal, as stated, the vf-shaped opening in the brush head can be, readily increased or diminished by suitably bending theouter edges of the said shiel As hereinbefore stated, in my present construction of lubricating mechanism, I use pneumatic means for forcing the grease out of 'the cylinder l and to such end I provide an air storagey tank 7, preferably the air reservoir for the car brake mechanism and to couple the lubricant cylinder l with the said tank 7 in the manner best shown on Fig. 2.

Z'Q designates an air inlet in the air chamber end ont' the cylinder l, in which is located a cutotl valve 7l, and an automatically operated controllingy means which includes a check valve 73 and a spring Tl that cooperates therewith and which tends to close olf the cylinder 1 from the air tank under normal conditions and which, when the rotary valve l0 is opened, as the car truck turns onto the curve, to open up the lubricant feed from the cylinder 1 and the air chargeback of the plunger, is reduced to a point below a predetermined air pressure in the tank 1, opens against the spring pressure and the reduced air pressure against it and thereby restablishes communication between the air tank and the air compartment of the cylinder 1, it being understood that the desired pressure in the air tank is regulated by the motormans means.

75 desi gnates a pet cockA in one end of the cylinder' 1 for exhausting the air in the said end when it is desired to put a new-charge of lubricant into the cylinder, it being un-V derstood that during such operation the cutofiq valve in the air lead to the cylinder is closed.

76 designates a pet cock in the forward end oi' the lubricant cylinder 1, the same being provided for ascertaining whether the cylinder is emptied of lubricant or not.

@ne of the diliiculties in getting a desired and effective application of the lubricant onto the curved trackway, either by applying the said lubricant directly to the track, or by transmitting the lubricant from the wheel flange onto the track is the dust and dirt that usually gathers in the groove of the curved trackway. `When manually applying the lubricant to the track, the opera tor first sweeps out the dirt from the track groove, before applying the lubricant. In the complete arrangement of my lubricating mechanism I have provided a simple and eiective .means of utilizing the air in the tank for blowing out the dirt in the track grooves as the car approaches the curved track sections, and to such end, I use a lead pipe 55 from the main air tank that leads through a valve casing 56, toa transversely `disposal distributing Pipe. 5,7 mounted en the. truck frame in advance 0f the Wheels t@ be, gleflefl. and. Whh terminales #1t the ends in air ejecting nozzles 38e-58 that travel down close to the trackway and are so held that the air blasts are directed into the trash grooves, as is Clearly Shown in Fig- (l, by, reference to which it will also be noticed, the valve in the casing 56 which in practice is normally spring closed, is opened when the motor-man presses with his foot, on the valve stem.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the complete construction, the manner of operation and the advantages oi my present construction of wheel Flange lubricating means will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which my invention relates.`

By reason of the peculiar arrangement and coperative construction of the several parts, when the car truck approaches the curve, the inotorman, in advance of passing onto the curve, by pressing down on the foot lever opens up a charge of air from the main reservoir that blows out through the nozzles and thereby clears the track grooves of dirt and dust, it being understood that in practice the air discharging nozzles may also be provided with scrapers 59 that loosenthe dirt in the trackgrooves. So soon as, the trucks pass onto the curve, the swing action thereoitl causes the nozzles to drop down over their respective wheel flanges and at` the same4 time causes the rack to turn the gear on the rotary valve l0 which opens up the lubricant cylinder with the distributing means, it being' understood when that occurs the air back of the follower forces the said follower forwardly to squeeze the lubricant out through the distributing devices, it being also understood that as the truck engages the curve and turns upon its pivot the cam devices on the stationary member of the car body to which the truck is pivoted, cause the swingable ends of the distributing pipes that carry the wiper or brush devices, to swing down to engage with the wheel liange.

While the arrangement of the parts shown and described discloses a preferred construction, the detailed arrangement of the parts shown may be readily varied or modified without departing from my invention or the scope of the appended claims.

that I claim is:

1. In combination with a car and its truck, a lubricant cylinder, a set of lubricant distributing nozzles mounted on the car truck adjacent to the wheels and adapted to move into operative position, means holding said nozzles out of operative position during the straight-way travel of the car, and adapted to release said nozzles to permit them to more into the operative position during the time the car is turning a curve, a pipe line from the lubricant cylinder to the distributing nozzles, a valve in the said pi-pe line, means connecting the truck and the valve for opening and closing the Valve according to the position of the truck, and pneumatic means for forcing the lubricant out ot' the cylinder when the said valve is at the open position.

2. In combination with the car and its Wheeled truck, the said wheeled truck including a plurality of wheels, a lubricant discharge nozzle for a wheel at each side of the truck and a pipe connection between the said nozzles relatively rigidly mounted on the truck, an air reservoir and a lubricant cylinder mounted on the car body, the said lubricant cylinder having a discharge outlet, a valve carried by the said cylinder for controlling `the said outlet, and a yieldable pipe connection between the said valve and the said nozzle pipe connections, means connected with the said valve and the Said truck for automatically actuating the said valve, and a pipe connectionbetween the said air reservoir yand the lubricant cylinder for forcing the lubricant out of' the same when the said valve is open.

8. In a car wheel flange lubricating mechanism, the combination with the car truck and the car body, a compressed air holding tank and a lubricant holding cylinder having an outlet mounted on the car body, a pipe connection that joins the tank and the cylinder and having an automatically operating air controlling valve, a plunger within ated by the lateral movements of the said car truck for actuating the lubricant outlet controlling valve.

4:. In a car wheel fiange lubricating mechanism, a lubricant distributing pipe mounted on the car truck and including a discharging head mounted to discharge the lubricant onto the vwheel flange, a source of lubricant supply including a cylinder having an outlet connected with the distributing pipe, a valve that operates to open and close the said outlet as the car truck swings laterally, a plunger operating 1n the cylinder to force the lubricant to the cylinder outlet, means for supplying compressed air into the cylinder back of the said follower when the lubricant outlet is open, a pet cock in each end of the said cylinder, and a means for cutting oil' the air supply to the cylinder at times.

ROBERT H. SCROGGINS.

Titnesses FRED G. Dnrrnmcn, Arnen'r E. Din'rizniCH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

